Cathrine "Cathy" DeHerrera-Taylor

1957 - 2025

A beautiful woman with a generous and loving heart graduated to her heavenly home on September 16, 2025. Cathrine "Cathy" DeHerrera-Taylor was born on November 8, 1957, to Valdemar and Consuelo DeHerrera in Taos, NM. Cathy grew up in Costilla, NM, with her 5 siblings on a beautiful ranch where she learned the value of hard work and family. After graduating from Questa High School in 1976, she moved to California, where she attended school and received her dental assistant certification. She loved working in this particular field, but she also returned to school to pursue her Nursing Assistant Certification, which sparked a passion for caring for others. Cathy worked as a hospice caregiver for 14 years, until her retirement in 2020. Even though she retired, she would still be doing what she was purposed for, but now it would be to help care for her elderly father. Cathy's motivation for life, her true pride and joy, her greatest ministry, and heart's purpose was for her daughter Maria. Cathy would move mountains and make many sacrifices for Maria to have the very best of everything. This is why Cathy and Maria moved to Alamogordo in the early 90s. It was an open door and an opportunity for Maria to have the best education available. Little did Cathy know that not only would Maria thrive in her new environment, but Cathy would also receive one of her greatest blessings. Cathy met the love of her life, Terry Taylor, in 2004 at the local county fair. From that day on, they were inseparable; they dated, fell deeply in love, and ultimately married on May 16, 2009. Terry not only loved Cathy unconditionally, but he also reignited her faith, restored her trust, and created a contagious joy in her that left her with a permanent smile. Cathy is preceded in death by her infant daughter, Andrea, her parents, Valdemar and Consuelo, and her brother-in-law, Curtis Clements. She is survived by her loving husband, Terry, beautiful daughter Maria, stepchildren, Jonathan (Stephanie) Taylor, Marvin (Shanna) Taylor, and Kelly (John) Carpenter. Grandchildren, Trevin, Xavier, John Michael, Kandace, Samantha, Lexie, Ellie, Lilly, Terrie, and Nicholas, her siblings Lydia (Richard) Peterson, Juanita Clements, Valarie (Don) Rael, Valdemar DeHerrera Jr., Nancy (Stephen) Crochet, half-sister Bonnie Santistevan, adopted sister Linda Romero and many nieces, nephews, family and loved ones. Cathy will always be remembered for her golden heart of compassion and generosity, as well as her beautiful and loving spirit. A celebration of life service will be held Friday, September 26th, at Mountain View Church at 11:00 am with a fellowship meal to follow. Another Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, October 18th, at Living Word Ministries in Questa, NM, at 10:00 am. Burial to follow at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Costilla, NM, with a fellowship meal to follow at the Parish Center.